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Effect of mechanical chest percussion on intracranial pressure: a pilot study.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Olson, DM; Thoyre, SM; Bennett, SN; Stoner, JB; Graffagnino, C
Published in: Am J Crit Care
July 2009

BACKGROUND: Treatment of brain injury is often focused on minimizing intracranial pressure, which, when elevated, can lead to secondary brain injury. Chest percussion is a common practice used to treat and prevent pneumonia. Conflicting and limited anecdotal evidence indicates that physical stimulation increases intracranial pressure and should be avoided in patients at risk of intracranial hypertension. OBJECTIVES: To explore the safety of performing chest percussion for patients at high risk for intracranial hypertension. METHODS: A total of 28 patients with at least 1 documented episode of intracranial hypertension who were having intracranial pressure monitored were studied in a prospective randomized control trial. Patients were randomly assigned to either the control group (no chest percussion) or the intervention group (10 minutes of chest percussion at noon). Intracranial pressure was recorded once a minute before, during, and after the intervention. RESULTS: Mean intracranial pressures for the control group before, during, and after the study period (14.4, 15.0, and 15.9 mm Hg, respectively) did not differ significantly from pressures in the intervention group (13.6, 13.7, and 14.2 mm Hg, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical chest percussion may be a safe intervention for nurses to use on neurologically injured patients who are at risk for intracranial hypertension.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Am J Crit Care

DOI

ISSN

1062-3264

Publication Date

July 2009

Volume

18

Issue

4

Start / End Page

330 / 335

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Thorax
  • Risk Factors
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pilot Projects
  • Percussion
  • Nursing
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Intracranial Pressure
 

Citation

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Olson, D. M., Thoyre, S. M., Bennett, S. N., Stoner, J. B., & Graffagnino, C. (2009). Effect of mechanical chest percussion on intracranial pressure: a pilot study. Am J Crit Care, 18(4), 330–335. https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2009523
Olson, DaiWai M., Suzanne M. Thoyre, Stacey N. Bennett, Joanna B. Stoner, and Carmelo Graffagnino. “Effect of mechanical chest percussion on intracranial pressure: a pilot study.Am J Crit Care 18, no. 4 (July 2009): 330–35. https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2009523.
Olson DM, Thoyre SM, Bennett SN, Stoner JB, Graffagnino C. Effect of mechanical chest percussion on intracranial pressure: a pilot study. Am J Crit Care. 2009 Jul;18(4):330–5.
Olson, DaiWai M., et al. “Effect of mechanical chest percussion on intracranial pressure: a pilot study.Am J Crit Care, vol. 18, no. 4, July 2009, pp. 330–35. Pubmed, doi:10.4037/ajcc2009523.
Olson DM, Thoyre SM, Bennett SN, Stoner JB, Graffagnino C. Effect of mechanical chest percussion on intracranial pressure: a pilot study. Am J Crit Care. 2009 Jul;18(4):330–335.

Published In

Am J Crit Care

DOI

ISSN

1062-3264

Publication Date

July 2009

Volume

18

Issue

4

Start / End Page

330 / 335

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Thorax
  • Risk Factors
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pilot Projects
  • Percussion
  • Nursing
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Intracranial Pressure